In its eighth year, the Collaborating for a Cure Ladies Luncheon, an annual event benefitting the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, will take place on Friday, August 20, at the T-Bar restaurant in Southampton.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is an international organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer.
The luncheon will honor philanthropist Jean Shafiroff for her continual support of SWCRF and will include a live fashion show by renowned designer Kobi Halperin, who will showcase his fall 2021 fashions and introduce his newest blouse collection. Halperin is known for unique designs, a love for details, and dressing women who “celebrate getting dressed every day.”
We caught up with the designer to learn more.
How did you become involved in the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation?
Few years ago I started my involvement with the foundation, donating pieces of my collections to different events. In November 2019, I was honored by the foundation during their annual gala. I was very touched and since then became more involved. Constantly thinking how to create ideas which could generate additional donations and awareness to the foundation.
What should guests expect from your show at the luncheon?
First of all the idea of bringing people together for a good cause is always exciting to me. Then . . . the fashion! It will be a lot of fun. We are planning to show our fall ’21 collection and in addition, the launch of the special capsule we did in collaboration with Lauren Levison, which was my muse and inspiration to create a capsule which is a bit more dramatic as Lauren, who tends to overdress.
Talk a little about your work as a mentor.
It is one of the things I enjoy the most. I love guiding the next generation with anything I learned throughout the years. For the last 15 years I am part of the critics panel at Shenkar College of Engineering and Design, where I graduated from. Each year I fly out to Tel Aviv to work with the students on the their final project. A couple years ago I also did it with SCAD in Savannah and last year with FIT in New York. I always enjoy it a lot. I constantly learn a lot from the students and enjoy the energy and pureness they have. It’s a great way to give to the new generation and at the same time learn what inspires them and their way of thinking.
What do you enjoy about Hamptons? Any favorite places you like to visit?
Since I was born in Israel and lived my childhood by the sea, I love spending time in the Hamptons. I love being surrounded by nature and near the ocean. It is the most powerful source of energy and inspiration to me.
What’s next for you and your business?
A lot is cooking. Our collection is expending to more locations and the next focus is the international business. We are planned to show the collection during next Paris Fashion Week in September.
In a addition, I am now the designer for the French brand UNGARO, we are launching our first resort collection in November. I am extremely excited about this. It brings me closer to Paris which is always a source of inspiration to me.
Tickets to the event are $300 and tables are $3,000. Reservations can be made by visiting www.waxmancancer.org/Luncheon.
